Legal Structure

MATRIX Neurological has been established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation [CIO]. This is a new form of legal entity designed for charitable organisations in England and Wales.  It is an incorporated form of charity that is not a company.  The provisions of the Companies Act 2006 do not apply to us as a CIO unless the CIO Regulations change and make such provision.

The main advantage of a CIO is the limited liability afforded by an incorporated form, alongside the lower administrative burden associated with being regulated by the Charity Commission alone, and not by Companies House. The CIO is the only bespoke legal vehicle for charities, and has been designed with charities in mind.

Three months after agreeing and signing our governing document, Matrix Neurological was awarded its charitable status by the Charity Commission and was entered onto the Register of Charities under its Registration Number: 1159973.

This gives us the powers to:

  • employ paid staff
  • deliver charitable services under contractual agreements
  • enter into commercial contracts in our own name
  • own freehold or leasehold land or other property

MATRIX Neurological uses the Foundation model of CIO whereby the only members are our Trustees who make all the strategic decisions in the best interest of the charity.

In order to qualify as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation we MUST:

  • have a constitution as our governing document. We have complied with the Charity Commission’s model Foundation CIO constitution;
  • be registered with the Charity Commission for us to legally be in existence;
  • keep a register of its trustees (who are also the members);
  • send its accounts and annual return to the Charity Commission each year, regardless of our income

[Reference: Charity Commission; Charity types: how to choose a structure (CC22a); 4 November 2014]

We believe the CIO to be more flexible than a charitable company limited by guarantee because a CIO constitution can allow for decisions at meetings to be by consensus, for example. The regime for electronic communications with members is also less rigid than the regime that applies to charitable companies

Aside from the lower administration in complying with just one regulator’s requirements, the CIO can be a suitable vehicle for joint ventures or other collaborative activity between charities or for the delivery of statutory services being outsourced from local authorities. It can also help with risk management around delivery of activities, employment obligations and so on.

 


"Parent-supported interventions after paediatric ABI bring reductions to the cost to society"
Eric Hermans; Netherlands
"Children and young people have poor social competence post brain injury due to reduced cognition, executive functions, and emotional control. As a result they are twice as likely to have mental health issues in the future"
James Tonks; University of London
"Too often children and young people with ABI are discharged from hospital without specialist brain support that they and their families need to overcome lifelong challenges"
Andrew Ross; former Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
"We would like to see earlier identification and support for children with brain injuries to help them succeed in school."
Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
"When someone has a brain injury, early access to local, specialist rehabilitation is crucial to ensure the maximum recovery and make significant savings to the state in health costs"
Headway; United Kingdom
"We are medical practitioners. The real experts are the parents. Over the last 35 years they have taught me everything I know"
Lucia Braga; Brazil
"Rehabilitation interventions can lead to positive outcomes for children and their families if delivered in the familiar home environment and applied to everyday situations"
Cerebra; United Kingdom
"Pediatric neuro-rehabilitation cannot be delivered in isolation. The needs of the child have to be looked at both holistically and within the context of the family unit. Parents need to be empowered to be parents in post-acute pediatric neuro-rehabilitation following brain injury"
The Children's Trust; United Kingdom
"Positive and coordinated neuro-rehab interventions for children and young people is proven to bring health improvements; improve independence; reduces the need for sheltered living; decreases vulnerability; decreases drop-out rates in schools; decreases youth offending"
Eric Hermans; Netherlands
Child 1 - Aged 14 and 3 years after a traumatic brain injury
2019 2020 Change
REASONING 301/800 426/800   +  125
MEMORY 181/800 304/800   +  123
ATTENTION 463/800 573/800   +  110
COORDINATION 47/800 309/800   +  262
PERCEPTION 158/800 374/800   +  216

OUR MISSION: To work to remove inequalities for children & young people affected by acquired brain injury; and provide effective support to their families that makes a real difference.

Council for Disabled Children Community Funded Charity Excellence Lottery Funded Youth Foundation BBC CiN